WO2002048397A2

WO2002048397A2 - Regulation of human adenylate cyclase, type vii

Info

Publication number: WO2002048397A2
Application number: PCT/EP2001/014398
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ningshu Liu; Yoshihisa Manabe
Original assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2000-12-11
Filing date: 2001-12-07
Publication date: 2002-06-20
Also published as: WO2002048397A3; AU2002237228A1

Abstract

An adenylate cyclase type VII protein, cDNA, and reagents which regulate human adenylate cyclase type VII can play a role in preventing, ameliorating, or correcting dysfunctions or diseases including, but not limited to, diseases that are caused by aberrant activity of this enzyme and diseases whose symptoms can be ameliorated by stimulating or inhibiting the activity of type VII adenylyl cyclase. Such diseases include, for example, diseases caused by allergic or inflammatory reaction, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, contact allergy, hives conjunctivitis, vernal catarrh; autoimmune diseases, COPD, inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sepsis/septic shock, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, polyarthritis nodosa, mixed connective tissue disease, Suoegren's syndrome, gout; and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, among others.

Description

REGULATION OF HUMAN ADENYLATE CYCLASE, TYPE VII

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to human adenylate cyclase type VTI (hAC7) and the regulation of hAC7.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The common mechanism for cells to process external stimuli incorporates a receptor at the cell surface to be activated by the stimulus. The activation of the receptor propagates signal to the cell interior and recruits several additional proteins in the process. Typical example of the receptor is a member of G-protein-coupled membrane receptors. The receptors affect the activity of a variety of effectors including ion channels and enzymes, such as adenylyl cyclases, phospholipases, and protein kinases. Each of these effectors includes isoforms with different regulatory properties allowing complex signal integration, and then the signal integration presents the opportunities for the cell to engineer highly specific responses to an external stimulus.

The adenylyl cyclase family contains a group of enzymes that synthesize cAMP, a key second messenger involved in signaling pathways governing many cellular processes (e.g. cell growth, development, metabolism and differentiation). To date, nine ACs, were identified principally from rodents. The structure of adenylyl cyclases is well studied and shows a common topology with five domains in sequence: a cytoplasmic N-terminal region; a membrane-anchoring hydrophobic domain (Ml) consisting of six transmembrane helices; a large cytoplasmic domain

(Cl); a second transmembrane helical cluster (M2); and a second cytoplasmic domain (C2), homologous to the first, at the C-terminus. The predicted topology of AC1-AC9 resembles that of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporter such as the P-glycoprotein, although there is no evidence that any mammalian AC functions as a channel or pump to date. All nine AC isoforms contain at least one site predicted to undergo N-linked glycosylation in M2. Following the demonstration by Tang and Gilman of a recombinant soluble AC entirely lacking Ml and M2, a large body of biochemical and structural evidence has made it clear that the interaction of the homologous Cl and C2 domains lies at the heart of the cyclase catalytic mechanism. It is likely that all isoforms share a common catalytic mechanism that requires dimerization of identical or homologous domains.

Although the nine adenylyl cyclases share common sequences and functional similarities (e.g., all can be activated by the Gsα proteins), each is under very distinct regulatory mechanisms and expressed in a tissue-specific manner (1-5). Thus, AC3,

AC5 and AC6 have been shown to be sensitive to inhibition by Gi protein, AC2, but not AC3 or AC6 can be stimulated by Gβγ subunits. In addition to the direct interaction with subunits of membrane-anchored G proteins, adenylyl cyclases also respond indirectly as a consequence of stimuli-induced alteration of intracellular ionic composition and kinase activity, or both. AC1, AC3 and AC8 are stimulated by

Ca2+/calmodulin. AC5 and AC6 are inhibited by low levels of Ca2+. AC2 and AC7 are stimulated by activation of protein kinase C, while Gs-stimulated but not basal activity of AC7 is inhibited by protein kinase C. AC1, AC3, and AC8 with significant expression in the central nervous system, but not other isoforms, demonstrate robust stimulation by Ca2/CaM. AC5 and AC6 are expressed dominantly in the heart.

Diversity in activation mechanism, and differences in distribution of adenylyl cyclase isoforms, may contribute to tissue specific regulation of cAMP level. The distinct features in structure and biochemical properties strongly suggest that isoform specific modulators can be discovered and are effective in a tissue- and pathology-specific manner.

The nucleotide sequence and the amino acid sequence of human adenylate cyclase Nil are available (KIAA0037), but the characteristics of adenylate cyclase type Nil has not been studied in detail yet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide reagents and methods for regulating adenylate cyclase type NIL This and other objectives of the invention are provided by one ofthe embodiments described below.

One embodiment of the invention is a method of screening for agents which can regulate the activity of adenylate cyclase type NIL A test compound is contacted with a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. Binding of the test compound to the polypeptide is detected. A test compound which binds to the polypeptide is thereby identified as a potential therapeutic agent for regulating the activity of adenylate cyclase type NIL

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of screening for agents which decrease the activity of adenylate cyclase type VII. A test compound is contacted with a polynucleotide encoding a adenylate cyclase polypeptide, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence which are at least about 70% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ NO: 1.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method of screening for agents which regulate a biological activity mediated by a adenylate cyclase type NIL A test compound is contacted with a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2.

A biological activity mediated by the polypeptide is detected. A test compound which decreases the biological activity is thereby identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the biological activity of the adenylate cyclase type VII. A test compound which increases the biological activity is thereby identified as a potential therapeutic agent for increasing the biological activity of the human adenylate cyclase type VII. Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of screening for agents which regulate an activity of a human adenylate cyclase type VII. A test compound is contacted with a product encoded by a polynucleotide which comprises a nucleotide sequence which is at least 70% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID

NO: 1. Binding of the test compound to the product is detected. A test compound which binds to the product is thereby identified as a potential therapeutic agent for regulating the activity ofthe human adenylate cyclase type VII.

Even another embodiment of the invention is a method of reducing activity of a human adenylate cyclase type VII. A cell is contacted with a reagent which specifically binds to a product encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least 70% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1. The activity ofthe human is adenylate cyclase type VLI thereby reduced.

Even another embodiment of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a reagent which specifically binds to a product encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least 70% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ JD NO: 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Another embodiment ofthe invention is the use of a reagent which specifically binds to a product encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least about 70% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases that are caused by aberrant activity of this enzyme and diseases whose symptoms can be ameliorated by stimulating or inhibiting the activity of type VII adenylyl cyclase. Such diseases include, for example, diseases caused by allergic or inflammatory reaction, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, contact allergy, hives conjunctivitis, vernal catarrh; autoimmune diseases, COPD, inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sepsis/septic shock, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, polyarthritis nodosa, mixed connective tissue disease, Suoegren's syndrome, gout; and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, among others.

Thus, the invention provides a human adenylate cyclase type VII, which can be regulated to provide therapeutic effects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 shows the DNA sequence encoding a human adenylate cyclase type Vfl polypeptide. Fig. 2 shows the amino acid sequence deduced from the DNA sequence of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a PCR primer used to amplify DNA complementary to human adenylate cyclase type VII mRNA in various tissues. Fig. 4 shows a PCR primer used to amplify DNA complementary to human adenylate cyclase type VII mRNA in various tissues. Fig. 5 shows a PCR primer used to amplify DNA complementary to human adenylate cyclase type VII mRNA in various immune cells. Fig. 6 shows a PCR primer used to amplify DNA complementary to human adenylate cyclase type VII mRNA in various immune cells.

Fig. 7 shows the expression profiles of hAC isoforms. Fig. 8 shows the expression profiles of hAC 7 in immune cells. Fig. 9 shows the DNA sequence including the sequence encoding a human adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide and untranslated region.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is a discovery of the present invention that human adenylate cyclase type VII (AC7) can be regulated to control diseases that are caused by aberrant activity of this enzyme and diseases whose symptoms can be ameliorated by stimulating or inhibiting the activity of type VII adenylyl cyclase. More specifically, the fact that specific PDE (phosphodiesterase, a down-stream enzyme regulates cAMP level through converting cAMP into the corresponding 5- monophosphate inactive counterparts) namely PDE4 inhibitors become promising agents for the treatment of asthma or other inflammatory or allergic diseases supports the idea that the specific modulators of adenylyl cyclase may also have the same or synergetic roles in the therapy for asthma or other allergic or inflammatory diseases. Further, present inventors' discovery that AC7 is expressed dominantly in immune system and lung tissue in human indicates that AC7 acts as a central enzyme that regulates the production of cAMP to modulate immune responses.

The expression of hAC7 in lung and trachea also shows that hAC7 activity potentially plays a role in the respiratory system. It has been shown that pulmonary endothelium forms a semi-selective barrier that regulates fluid balance and leukocyte trafficking. During the course of lung inflammation, neurohumoral mediators and oxidants act on endothelial cell to induce intercellular gaps permissive for transudation of proteinaceous fluid from blood into the interstitium. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and cAMP are suggested to be two important signals that dictate cell- cell apposition involved in such an inflammation course: the elevated concentration of endothelial cell [Ca2+]I decreases cAMP to facilitate intercellular gap formation.

(Moore, TM, et al, 1998); and increased [Ca2+]I promotes disruption of the macrovascular endothelial cell barrier, while increased cAMP enhances endothelial barrier function. Further, cAMP functions as a getting element on the chemoattractant-induced rho-dependent signaling pathway leading to leukocyte integrin activation and adhesion. cAMP, acting through protein kinase A, inhibits chemoattractant-triggered integrin-dependent leukocyte adhesion. cAMP- induced inhibition of rho activation may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of cAMP elevating agonissts and drugs. (Laudanna C, et al, 1997). Drugs that modulate the activity of hAC7 are expected to have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting chemotaxis and intercellular gap formation. Therefore, AC 7 can be regulated to control diseases such as caused by allergic or inflammatory reaction, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, contact allergy, hives conjunctivitis, vernal catarrh; autoimmune diseases, COPD, inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sepsis/septic shock, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, polyarthritis nodosa, mixed connective tissue disease, Suoegren's syndrome, gout; and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, among others.

Polypeptides

Adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides according to the present invention comprises at least 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, or 250 contiguous amino acids selected from the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or a biologically active variant thereof, as defined below. An adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide of the invention therefore can be a portion of an adenylate cyclase type VII protein, a full-length adenylate cyclase type VII protein, or a fusion protein comprising all or a portion of an adenylate cyclase type VTI protein.

Biologically Active Variants

Adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide variants are biologically active, i.e., retain a catalytic activity to converts ATP to adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). Adenylate cyclase are known for a number of activities which can be monitored in vitro. For example, adenylate cyclase activity is assayed indirectly by measuring the synthesis of radioactively labeled cAMP from a substrate as described in Anal. Biochem., 58, 541 (1974) and Adv. Cyclic Nucleotide Res., 10, 35 (1979).

Preferably, naturally or non-naturally occurring adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide variants have amino acid sequences which are at least about 70, preferably about 75, 90, 96, or 98% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 or a fragment thereof. Percent identity between a putative adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide variant and an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 is determined by conventional methods. See, for example, Altschul et al., Bull. Math. Bio. 48:603 (1986), and Henikoff and Henikoff, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915 (1992). Briefly, two amino acid sequences are aligned to optimize the alignment scores using a gap opening penalty of 10, a gap extension penalty of 1, and the "BLOSUM62" scoring matrix of Henikoff and Henikoff (ibid.).Those skilled in the art appreciate that there are many established algorithms available to align two amino acid sequences. The "FASTA"similarity search algorithm of Pearson and Lipman is a suitable protein alignment method for examining the level of identity shared by an amino acid sequence disclosed herein and the amino acid sequence of a putative variant. The FASTA algorithm is described y Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444(1988), and by Pearson, Meth. Enzymol. 183:63 (1990).Briefly, FASTA first characterizes sequence similarity by identifying regions shared by the query sequence (e.g. SEQ ID NO: 2) and a test sequence that have either the highest density of identities (if the ktup variable is 1) or pairs of identities (if ktup=2), without considering conservative amino acid substitutions, insertions, or deletions. The ten regions with the highest density of identities are then rescored by comparing the similarity of all paired amino acids using an amino acid substitution matrix, and the ends of the regions are "trimmed" to include only those residues that contribute to the highest score. If there are several regions with scores greater than the "cutoff value (calculated by a predetermined formula based upon the length of the sequence and the ktup value), then the trimmed initial regions are examined to determine whether the regions can be joined to for man approximate alignment with gaps. Finally, the highest scoring regions of the two amino acid sequences are aligned using a modification of the Needleman-Wunsch- Sellers algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, J. Mol. Biol.48:444 (1970); Sellers, SLAM J. Appl. Math. 26:787 (1974)), which allows for amino acid insertions and deletions. Preferred parameters for FASTA analysis are: ktup=l, gapopeningpenalty=10, gap extension penalty=l, and substitution matrix=BLOSUM62. These parameters can be introduced into a FASTA program by modifying the scoring matrix file ("SMATRLX"), as explained in Appendix 2 of Pearson, Meth. Enzymol. 183:63 (1990). FASTA can also be used to determine the sequence identity of nucleic acid molecules using a ratio as disclosed above. For nucleotide sequence comparisons, the ktup value can range between one to six, preferably from three to six,most preferably three, with other parameters set as default.

Variations in percent identity can be due, for example, to amino acid substitutions, insertions, or deletions. Amino acid substitutions are defined as one for one amino acid replacements. They are conservative in nature when the substituted amino acid has similar structural and/or chemical properties. Examples of conservative replacements are substitution of a leucine with an isoleucine or valine, an aspartate with a glutamate, or a threonine with a serine.

Amino acid insertions or deletions are changes to or within an amino acid sequence. They typically fall in the range of about 1 to 5 amino acids. Guidance in determining which amino acid residues can be substituted, inserted, or deleted without abolishing biological or immunological activity of an adenylate cyclase type VLI polypeptide can be found using computer programs well known in the art, such as DNASTAR software. Whether an amino acid change results in a biologically active adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can readily be determined by assaying for the efficiency of converting ATP into cAMP.

Fusion Proteins

Fusion proteins are useful for generating antibodies against adenylate cyclase type

VII polypeptide amino acid sequences and for use in various assay systems. For example, fusion proteins can be used to identify proteins, which interact with portions of an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. Protein affinity chromatography or library-based assays for protein-protein interactions, such as the yeast two-hybrid or phage display systems, can be used for this purpose. Such methods are well known in the art and also can be used as drug screens. An adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide fusion protein comprises two polypeptide segments fused together by means of a peptide bond. The first polypeptide segment comprises at least 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, or 250 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 or of a biologically active variant, such as those described above. The first polypeptide segment also can comprise full- length adenylate cyclase type VII.

The second polypeptide segment can be a full-length protein or a protein fragment. Proteins commonly used in fusion protein construction include beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), autofluorescent proteins, including blue fluorescent protein (BFP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), luciferase, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). Additionally, epitope tags are used in fusion protein constructions, including histidine (His) tags, FLAG tags, influenza hemagglutinin (HA) tags, Myc tags, VSV-

G tags, and thioredoxin (Trx) tags. Other fusion constructions can include maltose binding protein (MBP), S-tag, Lex A DNA binding domain (DBD) fusions, GAL4 DNA binding domain fusions, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) BP16 protein fusions. A fusion protein also can be engineered to contain a cleavage site located between the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide-encoding sequence and the heterologous protein sequence so that the adenylate cyclase type Vfl polypeptide can be cleaved and purified away from the heterologous moiety.

A fusion protein can be synthesized chemically, as is known in the art. Preferably, a fusion protein is produced by covalently linking two polypeptide segments or by standard procedures in the art of molecular biology. Recombinant DNA methods can be used to prepare fusion proteins, for example, by making a DNA construct which comprises coding sequences selected from SEQ ID NO: 1 in proper reading frame with nucleotides encoding the second polypeptide segment and expressing the DNA construct in a host cell, as is known in the art. Many kits for constructing fusion proteins are available from companies such as Promega Corporation (Madison, WI), Stratagene (La Jolla, CA), CLONTECH (Mountain View, CA), Santa Cruz Biotechnology (Santa Cruz, CA), MBL International Corporation (MIC; Watertown, MA), and Quantum Biotechnologies (Montreal, Canada; 1-888-DNA- KITS).

Identification of Species Homologs

Species homologs of human adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be obtained using adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides (described below) to make suitable probes or primers for screening cDNA expression libraries from other species, such as mice, monkeys, or yeast, identifying cDNAs which encode homologs of adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, and expressing the cDNAs as is known in the art.

Polynucleotides

An adenylate cyclase type Vll-encoding polynucleotide can be single- or double- stranded and comprises a coding sequence or the complement of a coding sequence for an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. A coding sequence for human adenylate cyclase type VII is shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.

Degenerate nucleotide sequences encoding human adenylate cyclase type VLI polypeptides, as well as homologous nucleotide sequences which are at least about 70, preferably about 75, 90, 96, or 98% identical to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 are adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides. Percent sequence identity between the sequences of two polynucleotides is determined using computer programs such as ALIGN which employ the FASTA algorithm, using an affinity gap search with a gap open penalty of -12 and a gap extension penalty of -2. Complementary DNA (cDNA) molecules, species homologs, and variants of adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides which encode biologically active adenylate cyclase type Vfl polypeptides also are adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides. Identification of Polynucleotide Variants and Homologs

Variants and homologs of the adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides described above also are adenylate cyclase type Vfl polynucleotides. Typically, homologous adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide sequences can be identified by hybridization of candidate polynucleotides to known adenylate cyclase type Vfl polynucleotides under stringent conditions, as is known in the art. For example, using the following wash conditions~2X SSC (0.3 M NaCl, 0.03 M sodium citrate, pH 7.0), 0.1% SDS, room temperature twice, 30 minutes each; then 2X SSC, 0.1%

SDS, 50 °C once, 30 minutes; then 2X SSC, room temperature twice, 10 minutes each—homologous sequences can be identified which contain at most about 25-30% basepair mismatches. More preferably, homologous nucleic acid strands contain 15- 25% basepair mismatches, even more preferably 5-15% basepair mismatches.

Species homologs of the adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides disclosed herein also can be identified by making suitable probes or primers and screening cDNA expression libraries from other species, such as mice, monkeys, or yeast. Human variants of adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides can be identified, for example, by screening human cDNA expression libraries. It is well known that the T_m of a double-stranded DNA decreases by 1-1.5 °C with every 1% decrease in homology (Bonner et ah, J. Mol. Biol. 81, 123 (1973). Variants of human adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides or adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides of other species can therefore be identified by hybridizing a putative homologous adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide with a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l or the complement thereof to form a test hybrid. The melting temperature of the test hybrid is compared with the melting temperature of a hybrid comprising polynucleotides having perfectly complementary nucleotide sequences, and the number or percent of basepair mismatches within the test hybrid is calculated. Nucleotide sequences which hybridize to adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides or their complements following stringent hybridization and/or wash conditions also are adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides. Stringent wash conditions are well known and understood in the art and are disclosed, for example, in Sambrook et ah, MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2d ed., 1989, at pages 9.50-9.51.

Typically, for stringent hybridization conditions a combination of temperature and salt concentration should be chosen that is approximately 12-20 °C below the calculated T_m of the hybrid under study. The T_m of a hybrid between an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ LD

NO:l or the complement thereof and a polynucleotide sequence which is at least about 73, preferably about 75, 90, 96, or 98% identical to one of those nucleotide sequences can be calculated, for example, using the equation of Bolton and McCarthy, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 48, 1390 (1962):

T_m = 81.5 °C - 16.6(logιo[Na⁺]) + 0.41(%G + C) - 0.63(%formamide) - 600//), where / = the length ofthe hybrid in basepairs.

Stringent wash conditions include, for example, 4X SSC at 65 oC, or 50% formamide, 4X SSC at 42 oC, or 0.5X SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65 oC. Highly stringent wash conditions include, for example, 0.2X SSC at 65 oC.

Preparation of Polynucleotides

A naturally occurring adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide can be isolated free of other cellular components such as membrane components, proteins, and lipids. Polynucleotides can be made by a cell and isolated using standard nucleic acid purification techniques, or synthesized using an amplification technique, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or by using an automatic synthesizer. Methods for isolating polynucleotides are routine and are known in the art. Any such technique for obtaining a polynucleotide can be used to obtain isolated adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides. For example, restriction enzymes and probes can be used to isolate polynucleotide fragments which comprises adenylate cyclase type VII nucleotide sequences. Isolated polynucleotides are in preparations which are free or at least 70, 80, or 90% free of other molecules.

Adenylate cyclase type VII cDNA molecules can be made with standard molecular biology techniques, using adenylate cyclase type VII mRNA as a template. Adenylate cyclase type VII cDNA molecules can thereafter be replicated using molecular biology techniques known in the art and disclosed in manuals such as Sambrook et al. (1989). An amplification technique, such as PCR, can be used to obtain additional copies of polynucleotides of the invention, using either human genomic DNA or cDNA as a template.

Alternatively, synthetic chemistry techniques can be used to synthesizes adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides. The degeneracy of the genetic code allows alternate nucleotide sequences to be synthesized which will encode an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide having, for example, an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or a biologically active variant thereof.

Extending Polynucleotides

Various PCR-based methods can be used to extend the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein to detect upstream sequences such as promoters and regulatory elements. For example, restriction-site PCR uses universal primers to retrieve unknown sequence adjacent to a known locus (Sarkar, PCR Methods Applic. 2, 318-

322, 1993). Genomic DNA is first amplified in the presence of a primer to a linker sequence and a primer specific to the known region. The amplified sequences are then subjected to a second round of PCR with the same linker primer and another specific primer internal to the first one. Products of each round of PCR are tran- scribed with an appropriate RNA polymerase and sequenced using reverse transcriptase. Inverse PCR also can be used to amplify or extend sequences using divergent primers based on a known region (Triglia et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16, 8186, 1988). Primers can be designed using commercially available software, such as OLIGO 4.06 Primer Analysis software (National Biosciences Inc., Plymouth, Minn.), to be 22-30 nucleotides in length, to have a GC content of 50% or more, and to anneal to the target sequence at temperatures about 68-72 °C. The method uses several restriction enzymes to generate a suitable fragment in the known region of a gene. The fragment is then circularized by intramolecular ligation and used as a PCR template.

Another method which can be used is capture PCR, which involves PCR amplification of DNA fragments adjacent to a known sequence in human and yeast artificial chromosome DNA (Lagerstrom et al., PCR Methods Applic. 1, 111-119, 1991). In this method, multiple restriction enzyme digestions and ligations also can be used to place an engineered double-stranded sequence into an unknown fragment ofthe DNA molecule before performing PCR.

Another method which can be used to retrieve unknown sequences is that of Parker et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19, 3055-3060, 1991). Additionally, PCR, nested primers, and PROMOTERFINDER libraries (CLONTECH, Palo Alto, Calif.) can be used to walk genomic DNA (CLONTECH, Palo Alto, Calif). This process avoids the need to screen libraries and is useful in finding intron/exon junctions.

When screening for full-length cDNAs, it is preferable to use libraries that have been size-selected to include larger cDNAs. Randomly-primed libraries are preferable, in that they will contain more sequences which contain the 5' regions of genes. Use of a randomly primed library may be especially preferable for situations in which an oligo d(T) library does not yield a full-length cDNA. Genomic libraries can be useful for extension of sequence into 5' non-transcribed regulatory regions. Commercially available capillary electrophoresis systems can be used to analyze the size or confirm the nucleotide sequence of PCR or sequencing products. For example, capillary sequencing can employ flowable polymers for electrophoretic separation, four different fluorescent dyes (one for each nucleotide) which are laser activated, and detection of the emitted wavelengths by a charge coupled device camera. Output/light intensity can be converted to electrical signal using appropriate software (e.g. GENOTYPER and Sequence NAVIGATOR, Perkin Elmer), and the entire process from loading of samples to computer analysis and electronic data display can be computer controlled. Capillary electrophoresis is especially preferable for the sequencing of small pieces of DNA which might be present in limited amounts in a particular sample.

Obtaining Polypeptides

Adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be obtained, for example, by purification from human cells, by expression of adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotides, or by direct chemical synthesis.

Protein Purification

Adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be purified from any human cell which expresses the enzyme, including host cells which have been transfected with adenylate cyclase type VLI expression constructs. A particular good source of adenylate cyclase type VII is peripheral blood leukocyte cells. A purified adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide is separated from other compounds which normally associate with the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide in the cell, such as certain proteins, carbohydrates, or lipids, using methods well-known in the art. Such methods include, but are not limited to, size exclusion chromatography, ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and preparative gel electrophoresis. The high salt washes are likely to be enriched for adenylate cyclase enzyme. A preparation of purified adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides is at least 80% pure; preferably, the preparations are 90%, 95%, or 99% pure. Purity ofthe preparations can be assessed by any means known in the art, such as SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Expression of Polynucleotides

To express an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide, the polynucleotide can be inserted into an expression vector that contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted coding sequence. Methods that are well known to those skilled in the art can be used to construct expression vectors containing sequences encoding adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides and appropriate transcriptional and translational control elements. These methods include in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. Such techniques are described, for example, in Sambrook et al. (1989) and in Ausubel et al., CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY,

John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y., 1989.

A variety of expression vector/host systems can be utilized to contain and express sequences encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. These include, but are not limited to, microorganisms, such as bacteria transformed with recombinant bacteriophage, plasmid, or cosmid DNA expression vectors; yeast transformed with yeast expression vectors, insect cell systems infected with virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus), plant cell systems transformed with virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or with bacterial expression vectors (e.g. , Ti or pBR322 plasmids), or animal cell systems.

The control elements or regulatory sequences are those non-translated regions of the vector — enhancers, promoters, 5' and 3' untranslated regions — which interact with host cellular proteins to carry out transcription and translation. Such elements can vary in their strength and specificity. Depending on the vector system and host utilized, any number of suitable transcription and translation elements, including constitutive and inducible promoters, can be used. For example, when cloning in bacterial systems, inducible promoters such as the hybrid lacZ promoter of the BLUESCRIPT phagemid (Stratagene, LaJolla, Calif.) or pSPORTl plasmid (Life Technologies) and the like can be used. The baculovirus polyhedrin promoter can be used in insect cells. Promoters or enhancers derived from the genomes of plant cells (e.g., heat shock, RUBISCO, and storage protein genes) or from plant viruses (e.g., viral promoters or leader sequences) can be cloned into the vector. In mammalian cell systems, promoters from mammalian genes or from mammalian viruses are preferable. If it is necessary to generate a cell line that contains multiple copies of a nucleotide sequence encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, vectors based on SV40 or EBV can be used with an appropriate selectable marker.

Bacterial and Yeast Expression Systems

In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors can be selected depending upon the use intended for the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. For example, when a large quantity of an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide is needed for the induction of antibodies, vectors which direct high level expression of fusion proteins that are readily purified can be used. Such vectors include, but are not limited to, multifunctional E. coli cloning and expression vectors such as BLUESCRIPT

(Stratagene). In a BLUESCRIPT vector, a sequence encoding the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be ligated into the vector in frame with sequences for the amino-terminal Met and the subsequent 7 residues of _-galactosidase so that a hybrid protein is produced. pfN vectors (Van Heeke & Schuster, J Biol. Chem. 264, 5503-5509, 1989) or pGEX vectors (Promega, Madison, Wis.) also can be used to express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST). In general, such fusion proteins are soluble and can easily be purified from lysed cells by adsorption to glutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of free glutathione. Proteins made in such systems can be designed to include heparin, thrombin, or factor Xa protease cleavage sites so that the cloned polypeptide of interest can be released from the GST moiety at will. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a number of vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters such as alpha factor, alcohol oxidase, and PGH can be used. For reviews, see Ausubel et al. (1989) and Grant et al., Methods Enzymol. 153, 516-544, 1987.

Plant and Insect Expression Systems

If plant expression vectors are used, the expression of sequences encoding adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be driven by any of a number of promoters. For example, viral promoters such as the 35S and 19S promoters of CaMV can be used alone or in combination with the omega leader sequence from TMV (Takamatsu,

EMBO J. 6, 307-311, 1987). Alternatively, plant promoters such as the small subunit of RUBISCO or heat shock promoters can be used (Coruzzi et al., EMBO J. 3, 1671- 1680, 1984; Broglie et al., Science 224, 838-843, 1984; Winter et al, Results Probl.

Cell Differ. 17, 85-105, 1991). These constructs can be introduced into plant cells by direct DNA transformation or by pathogen-mediated transfection. Such techniques are described in a number of generally available reviews (e.g., Hobbs or Murray, in

MCGRAW HILL YEARBOOK OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, McGraw Hill, New York, N.Y., pp. 191-196, 1992).

An insect system also can be used to express an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. For example, in one such system Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign genes in Spodoptera frugiperda cells or in Trichoplusia larvae. Sequences encoding adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be cloned into a non-essential region of the virus, such as the polyhedrin gene, and placed under control of the polyhedrin promoter. Successful insertion of adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides will render the polyhedrin gene inactive and produce recombinant virus lacking coat protein. The recombinant viruses can then be used to infect S. frugiperda cells or Trichoplusia larvae in which adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be expressed (Engelhard et al, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 91, 3224-3227, 1994).

Mammalian Expression Systems

A number of viral-based expression systems can be used to express adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides in mammalian host cells. For example, if an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, sequences encoding adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be ligated into an adenovirus transcription/translation complex comprising the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. Insertion in a non- essential El or E3 region of the viral genome can be used to obtain a viable virus which is capable of expressing an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide in infected host cells (Logan & Shenk, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81, 3655-3659, 1984). If desired, transcription enhancers, such as the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) enhancer, can be used to increase expression in mammalian host cells.

Human artificial chromosomes (HACs) also can be used to deliver larger fragments of DNA than can be contained and expressed in a plasmid. HACs of 6M to 10M are constructed and delivered to cells via conventional delivery methods (e.g., liposomes, polycationic amino polymers, or vesicles).

Specific initiation signals also can be used to achieve more efficient translation of sequences encoding adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides. Such signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. In cases where sequences encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, its initiation codon, and upstream sequences are inserted into the appropriate expression vector, no additional transcriptional or translational control signals may be needed. However, in cases where only coding sequence, or a fragment thereof, is inserted, exogenous translational control signals (including the ATG initiation codon) should be provided. The initiation codon should be in the correct reading frame to ensure translation of the entire insert. Exogenous translational elements and initiation codons can be of various origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression can be enhanced by the inclusion of enhancers which are appropriate for the particular cell system which is used (see Scharf et al, Results Probl. Cell Differ. 20, 125-162, 1994).

Host Cells

A host cell strain can be chosen for its ability to modulate the expression of the inserted sequences or to process the expressed adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide in the desired fashion. Such modifications of the polypeptide include, but are not limited to, acetylation, carboxylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, lipidation, and acylation. Post-translational processing which cleaves a "prepro" form ofthe polypeptide also can be used to facilitate correct insertion, folding and/or function. Different host cells which have specific cellular machinery and characteristic mechanisms for post-translational activities (e.g., CHO, HeLa, MDCK,

HEK293, and WI38), are available from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC; 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110-2209) and can be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing ofthe foreign protein.

Stable expression is preferred for long-term, high-yield production of recombinant proteins. For example, cell lines which stably express adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be transformed using expression vectors which can contain viral origins of replication and/or endogenous expression elements and a selectable marker gene on the same or on a separate vector. Following the introduction of the vector, cells can be allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched medium before they are switched to a selective medium. The purpose of the selectable marker is to confer resistance to selection, and its presence allows growth and recovery of cells which successfully express the introduced adenylate cyclase type VII sequences. Resistant clones of stably transformed cells can be proliferated using tissue culture techniques appropriate to the cell type. See, for example, ANIMAL CELL CULTURE, R.I.

Freshney, ed., 1986. Any number of selection systems can be used to recover transformed cell lines. These include, but are not limited to, the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler et al, Cell 11, 223-32, 1977) and adenine phosphoribosylrransferase (Lowy et al, Cell 22, 817-23, 1980) genes which can be employed in tk^~ or aprf cells, respectively. Also, antimetabolite, antibiotic, or herbicide resistance can be used as the basis for selection. For example, dhfr confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 77, 3567-70, 1980), npt confers resistance to the aminoglycosides, neomycin and G-418 (Colbere-Garapin et al, J. Mol. Biol. 150, 1- 14, 1981), and als and pat confer resistance to chlorsulfuron and phosphinotricin acetyltransferase, respectively (Murray, 1992, supra). Additional selectable genes have been described. For example, trpB allows cells to utilize indole in place of tryptophan, or hisD, which allows cells to utilize histinol in place of histidine (Hartman & Mulligan, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 85, 8047-51, 1988). Visible markers such as anthocyanins, _-glucuronidase and its substrate GUS, and luciferase and its substrate luciferin, can be used to identify transformants and to quantify the amount of transient or stable protein expression attributable to a specific vector system (Rhodes et al, Methods Mol. Biol. 55, 121-131, 1995).

Detecting Expression

Although the presence of marker gene expression suggests that the adenylate cyclase type VH polynucleotide is also present, its presence and expression may need to be confirmed. For example, if a sequence encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide is inserted within a marker gene sequence, transformed cells containing sequences which encode an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be identified by the absence of marker gene function. Alternatively, a marker gene can be placed in tandem with a sequence encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide under the control of a single promoter. Expression of the marker gene in response to induction or selection usually indicates expression of the adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide. Alternatively, host cells which contain an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide and which express an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be identified by a variety of procedures known to those of skill in the art. These procedures include, but are not limited to, DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridizations and protein bioassay or immunoassay techniques which include membrane, solution, or chip-based technologies for the detection andor quantification of nucleic acid or protein. For example, the presence of a polynucleotide sequence encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be detected by DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization or amplification using probes or fragments or fragments of polynucleotides encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. Nucleic acid amplification-based assays involve the use of oligonucleotides selected from sequences encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide to detect transformants which contain an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide.

A variety of protocols for detecting and measuring the expression of an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, using either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specific for the polypeptide, are known in the art. Examples include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). A two-site, monoclonal-based immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies reactive to two non-interfering epitopes on an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be used, or a competitive binding assay can be employed. These and other assays are described in Hampton et al, SEROLOGICAL METHODS: A LABORATORY MANUAL, APS Press, St. Paul, Minn., 1990) and Maddox et al, J. Exp. Med. 158, 1211-1216, 1983).

A wide variety of labels and conjugation techniques are known by those skilled in the art and can be used in various nucleic acid and amino acid assays. Means for producing labeled hybridization or PCR probes for detecting sequences related to polynucleotides encoding adenylate cyclase type VLI polypeptides include oligolabeling, nick translation, end-labeling, or PCR amplification using a labeled nucleotide. Alternatively, sequences encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be cloned into a vector for the production of an mRNA probe. Such vectors are known in the art, are commercially available, and can be used to synthesize RNA probes in vitro by addition of labeled nucleotides and an appropriate RNA polymerase such as T7, T3, or SP6. These procedures can be conducted using a variety of commercially available kits (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Promega, and US Biochemical). Suitable reporter molecules or labels which can be used for ease of detection include radionuclides, enzymes, and fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or chromogenic agents, as well as substrates, cofactors, inhibitors, magnetic particles, and the like.

Expression and Purification of Polypeptides

Host cells transformed with nucleotide sequences encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be cultured under conditions suitable for the expression and recovery ofthe protein from cell culture. The polypeptide produced by a transformed cell can be secreted or contained intracellularly depending on the sequence and/or the vector used. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, expression vectors containing polynucleotides which encode adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be designed to contain signal sequences which direct secretion of soluble adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides through a prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell membrane or which direct the membrane insertion of membrane-bound adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide.

As discussed above, other constructions can be used to join a sequence encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide domain which will facilitate purification of soluble proteins. Such purification facilitating domains include, but are not limited to, metal chelating peptides such as histidine-tryptophan modules that allow purification on immobilized metals, protein A domains that allow purification on immobilized immunoglobulin, and the domain utilized in the FLAGS extension/affinity purification system (Immunex Corp., Seattle, Wash.). Inclusion of cleavable linker sequences such as those specific for Factor Xa or enterokinase (Invifrogen, San Diego, CA) between the purification domain and the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide also can be used to facilitate purification. One such expression vector provides for expression of a fusion protein containing an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide and 6 histidine residues preceding a thioredoxin or an enterokinase cleavage site. The histidine residues facilitate purification by LMAC (immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography, as described in Porath et al, Prot. Exp. Purif. 3, 263-281, 1992), while the enterokinase cleavage site provides a means for purifying the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide from the fusion protein. Vectors which contain fusion proteins are disclosed in Kroll et al, DNA Cell Biol. 12, 441-453, 1993.

Chemical Synthesis

Sequences encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be synthesized, in whole or in part, using chemical methods well known in the art (see Caruthers et al, Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 215-223, 1980; Horn et al Nucl. Acids Res. Symp. Ser. 225-232, 1980). Alternatively, an adenylate cyclase type Nil polypeptide itself can be produced using chemical methods to synthesize its amino acid sequence, such as by direct peptide synthesis using solid-phase techniques (Merrifield, J. Am. Chem.

Soc. 85, 2149-2154, 1963; Roberge et al, Science 269, 202-204, 1995). Protein synthesis can be performed using manual techniques or by automation. Automated synthesis can be achieved, for example, using Applied Biosystems 431 A Peptide Synthesizer (Perkin Elmer). Optionally, fragments of adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be separately synthesized and combined using chemical methods to produce a full-length molecule.

The newly synthesized peptide can be substantially purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (e.g., Creighton, PROTEINS: STRUCTURES AND MOLECULAR PRINCIPLES, WH Freeman and Co., New York, N.Y., 1983). The composition of a synthetic adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be confirmed by amino acid analysis or sequencing (e.g., the Edman degradation procedure; see Creighton, supra). Additionally, any portion of the amino acid sequence of the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be altered during direct synthesis and/or combined using chemical methods with sequences from other proteins to produce a variant polypeptide or a fusion protein.

Production of Altered Polypeptides

As will be understood by those of skill in the art, it may be advantageous to produce adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide-encoding nucleotide sequences possessing non-naturally occurring codons. For example, codons preferred by a particular prokaryotic or eukaryotic host can be selected to increase the rate of protein expression or to produce an RNA transcript having desirable properties, such as a half-life which is longer than that of a transcript generated from the naturally occurring sequence.

The nucleotide sequences disclosed herein can be engineered using methods generally known in the art to alter adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide-encoding sequences for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to, alterations which modify the cloning, processing, and/or expression of the polypeptide or mRNA product. DNA shuffling by random fragmentation and PCR reassembly of gene fragments and synthetic oligonucleotides can be used to engineer the nucleotide sequences. For example, site-directed mutagenesis can be used to insert new restriction sites, alter glycosylation patterns, change codon preference, produce splice variants, introduce mutations, and so forth.

Antibodies

Any type of antibody known in the art can be generated to bind specifically to an epitope of an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. "Antibody" as used herein includes intact immunoglobulin molecules, as well as fragments thereof, such as Fab, F(ab=)₂, and Fv, which are capable of binding an epitope of an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. Typically, at least 6, 8, 10, or 12 contiguous amino acids are required to form an epitope. However, epitopes which involve non-contiguous amino acids may require more, e.g., at least 15, 25, or 50 amino acids.

An antibody which specifically binds to an epitope of an adenylate cyclase type VLT polypeptide can be used therapeutically, as well as in immunochemical assays, such as Western blots, ELISAs, radioimmunoassays, immunohistochemical assays, immunoprecipitations, or other immunochemical assays known in the art. Various immunoassays can be used to identify antibodies having the desired specificity.

Numerous protocols for competitive binding or immunoradiometric assays are well known in the art. Such immunoassays typically involve the measurement of complex formation between an immunogen and an antibody which specifically binds to the immunogen.

Typically, an antibody which specifically binds to an adenylate cyclase type VH polypeptide provides a detection signal at least 5-, 10-, or 20-fold higher than a detection signal provided with other proteins when used in an immunochemical assay. Preferably, antibodies which specifically bind to adenylate cyclase type VH polypeptides do not detect other proteins in immunochemical assays and can immunoprecipitate an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide from solution.

Adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides can be used to immunize a mammal, such as a mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig, monkey, or human, to produce polyclonal antibodies. If desired, an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be conjugated to a carrier protein, such as bovine serum albumin, thyroglobulin, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Depending on the host species, various adjuvants can be used to increase the immunological response. Such adjuvants include, but are not limited to, Freund's adjuvant, mineral gels (e.g., aluminum hydroxide), and surface active substances (e.g. lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and dinitrophenol). Among adjuvants used in humans, BCG (bacilli Calmette-Gueri^ή) and Corynebacterium parvum are especially useful.

Monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be prepared using any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. These techniques include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique, the human B-cell hybridoma technique, and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Kohler et al, Nature 256, 495-497, 1985; Kozbor et al, J. Immunol. Methods 81, 31-42, 1985; Cote et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 80, 2026-2030, 1983; Cole et al, Mol. Cell Biol. 62, 109-120, 1984).

In addition, techniques developed for the production of chimeric antibodies, the splicing of mouse antibody genes to human antibody genes to obtain a molecule with appropriate antigen specificity and biological activity, can be used (Morrison et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81, 6851-6855, 1984; Neuberger et al, Nature 312, 604-608,

1984; Takeda et al, Nature 314, 452-454, 1985). Monoclonal and other antibodies also can be humanized, to prevent a patient from mounting an immune response against the antibody when it is used therapeutically. Such antibodies may be sufficiently similar in sequence to human antibodies to be used directly in therapy or may require alteration of a few key residues. Sequence differences between rodent antibodies and human sequences can be minimized by replacing residues which differ from those in the human sequences by site directed mutagenesis of individual residues or by grating of entire complementarity determining regions. Alternatively, humanized antibodies can be produced using recombinant methods, as described in GB2188638B. Antibodies which specifically bind to an adenylate cyclase type VLI polypeptide can contain antigen binding sites which are either partially or fully humanized, as disclosed in U.S. 5,565,332.

Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies can be adapted using methods known in the art to produce single chain antibodies which specifically bind to adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides. Antibodies with related specificity, but of distinct idiotypic composition, can be generated by chain shuffling from random combinatorial immunoglobin libraries (Burton, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. SS, 11120-23, 1991).

Single-chain antibodies also can be constructed using a DNA amplification method, such as PCR, using hybridoma cDNA as a template (Thirion et al, 1996, Eur. J. Cancer Prev. 5, 507-11). Single-chain antibodies can be mono- or bispecific, and can be bivalent or tetravalent. Construction of tetravalent, bispecific single-chain antibodies is taught, for example, in Coloma & Morrison, 1997, Nat. Biotechnol. 15, 159-63. Constraction of bivalent, bispecific single-chain antibodies is taught in

Mallender & Voss, 1994, J. Biol. Chem. 269, 199-206.

A nucleotide sequence encoding a single-chain antibody can be constructed using manual or automated nucleotide synthesis, cloned into an expression construct using standard recombinant DNA methods, and introduced into a cell to express the coding sequence, as described below. Alternatively, single-chain antibodies can be produced directly using, for example, filamentous phage technology (Verhaar et al, 1995, Int. J. Cancer 61, 497-501; Nicholls et al, 1993, J. Immunol. Meth. 165, 81-

91).

Antibodies which specifically bind to adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides also can be produced by inducing in vivo production in the lymphocyte population or by screening immunoglobulin libraries or panels of highly specific binding reagents as disclosed in the literature (Orlandi et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 86, 3833-3837, 1989; Winter et al, Nature 349, 293-299, 1991).

Other types of antibodies can be constructed and used therapeutically in methods of the invention. For example, chimeric antibodies can be constructed as disclosed in WO 93/03151. Binding proteins which are derived from immunoglobulins and which are multivalent and multispecific, such as the "diabodies" described in WO

94/13804, also can be prepared. Antibodies according to the invention can be purified by methods well known in the art. For example, antibodies can be affinity purified by passage over a column to which an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide is bound. The bound antibodies can then be eluted from the column using a buffer with a high salt concentration.

Antisense Oligonucleotides

Antisense oligonucleotides are nucleotide sequences which are complementary to a specific DNA or RNA sequence. Once introduced into a cell, the complementary nucleotides combine with natural sequences produced by the cell to form complexes and block either transcription or translation. Preferably, an antisense oligonucleotide is at least 11 nucleotides in length, but can be at least 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 or more nucleotides long. Longer sequences also can be used. Antisense oligonucleotide molecules can be provided in a DNA construct and introduced into a cell as described above to decrease the level of adenylate cyclase type VII gene products in the cell.

Antisense oligonucleotides can be deoxyribonucleotides, ribonucleotides, or a combination of both. Oligonucleotides can be synthesized manually or by an automated synthesizer, by covalently linking the 5' end of one nucleotide with the 3' end of another nucleotide with non-phosphodiester internucleotide linkages such alkylphosphonates, phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, alkylphosphonothioates, alkylphosphonates, phosphoramidates, phosphate esters, carbamates, acetamidate, carboxymethyl esters, carbonates, and phosphate triesters. See Brown, Meth. Mol. Biol. 20, 1-8, 1994; Sonveaux, Meth. Mol. Biol. 26, 1-72, 1994; Uhlmann et al,

Chem. Rev. 90, 543-583, 1990.

Modifications of adenylate cyclase type VII gene expression can be obtained by designing antisense oligonucleotides which will form duplexes to the control, 5', or regulatory regions of the adenylate cyclase type VII gene. Oligonucleotides derived from the transcription initiation site, e.g., between positions -10 and +10 from the start site, are preferred. Similarly, inhibition can be achieved using "triple helix" base-pairing methodology. Triple helix pairing is useful because it causes inhibition of the ability ofthe double helix to open sufficiently for the binding of polymerases, transcription factors, or chaperons. Therapeutic advances using triplex DNA have been described in the literature (e.g., Gee et al, in Huber & Carr, MOLECULAR AND

IMMUNOLOGIC APPROACHES, Futura Publishing Co., Mt. Kisco, N.Y., 1994). An antisense oligonucleotide also can be designed to block translation of mRNA by preventing the transcript from binding to ribosomes.

Precise complementarity is not required for successful complex formation between an antisense oligonucleotide and the complementary sequence of an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide. Antisense oligonucleotides which comprise, for example, 2, 3, 4, or 5 or more stretches of contiguous nucleotides which are precisely complementary to an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide, each separated by a stretch of contiguous nucleotides which are not complementary to adjacent adenylate cyclase type VII nucleotides, can provide sufficient targeting specificity for adenylate cyclase type VII mRNA. Preferably, each stretch of complementary contiguous nucleotides is at least 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 or more nucleotides in length. Non- complementary intervening sequences are preferably 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides in length. One skilled in the art can easily use the calculated melting point of an antisense-sense pair to determine the degree of mismatching which will be tolerated between a particular antisense oligonucleotide and a particular adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide sequence.

Antisense oligonucleotides can be modified without affecting their ability to hybridize to an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide. These modifications can be internal or at one or both ends of the antisense molecule. For example, internucleoside phosphate linkages can be modified by adding cholesteryl or diamine moieties with varying numbers of carbon residues between the amino groups and terminal ribose. Modified bases and/or sugars, such as arabinose instead of ribose, or a 3', 5'-substituted oligonucleotide in which the 3' hydroxyl group or the 5' phosphate group are substituted, also can be employed in a modified antisense oligonucleotide. These modified oligonucleotides can be prepared by methods well known in the art. See, e.g., Agrawal et al, Trends Biotechnol. 10, 152-158, 1992; Uhlmann et al, Chem. Rev. 90, 543-584, 1990; Uhlmann et al, Tetrahedron. Lett. 215, 3539-3542, 1987.

Ribozymes

Ribozymes are RNA molecules with catalytic activity. See, e.g., Cech, Science 236, 1532-1539; 1987; Cech, Ann. Rev. Biochem. 59, 543-568; 1990, Cech, Curr. Opin.

Struct. Biol. 2, 605-609; 1992, Couture & Stinchcomb, Trends Genet. 12, 510-515, 1996. Ribozymes can be used to inhibit gene function by cleaving an RNA sequence, as is known in the art (e.g., Haseloff et al, U.S. Patent 5,641,673). The mechanism of ribozyme action involves sequence-specific hybridization of the ribozyme molecule to complementary target RNA, followed by endonucleolytic cleavage.

Examples include engineered hammerhead motif ribozyme molecules that can specifically and efficiently catalyze endonucleolytic cleavage of specific nucleotide sequences.

The coding sequence of an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide can be used to generate ribozymes which will specifically bind to mRNA transcribed from the adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide. Methods of designing and constructing ribozymes which can cleave other RNA molecules in trans in a highly sequence specific manner have been developed and described in the art (see Haseloff et al. Nature 334, 585-591, 1988). For example, the cleavage activity of ribozymes can be targeted to specific RNAs by engineering a discrete "hybridization" region into the ribozyme. The hybridization region contains a sequence complementary to the target RNA and thus specifically hybridizes with the target (see, for example, Gerlach et al, EP 321,201). Specific ribozyme cleavage sites within an adenylate cyclase type VII RNA target can be identified by scanning the target molecule for ribozyme cleavage sites which include the following sequences: GUA, GUU, and GUC. Once identified, short RNA sequences of between 15 and 20 ribonucleotides corresponding to the region of the target RNA containing the cleavage site can be evaluated for secondary structural features which may render the target inoperable. Suitability of candidate adenylate cyclase type VII RNA targets also can be evaluated by testing accessibility to hybridization with complementary oligonucleotides using ribonuclease protection assays. Longer complementary sequences can be used to increase the affinity of the hybridization sequence for the target. The hybridizing and cleavage regions of the ribozyme can be integrally related such that upon hybridizing to the target RNA through the complementary regions, the catalytic region of the ribozyme can cleave the target.

Ribozymes can be introduced into cells as part of a DNA construct. Mechanical methods, such as microinjection, liposome-mediated transfection, electroporation, or calcium phosphate precipitation, can be used to introduce a ribozyme-containing DNA construct into cells in which it is desired to decrease adenylate cyclase type VLI expression. Alternatively, if it is desired that the cells stably retain the DNA construct, the construct can be supplied on a plasmid and maintained as a separate element or integrated into the genome of the cells, as is known in the art. A ribozyme-encoding DNA construct can include transcriptional regulatory elements, such as a promoter element, an enhancer or UAS element, and a transcriptional terminator signal, for controlling transcription of ribozymes in the cells.

As taught in Haseloff et al, U.S. Patent 5,641,673, ribozymes can be engineered so that ribozyme expression will occur in response to factors which induce expression of a target gene. Ribozymes also can be engineered to provide an additional level of regulation, so that destruction of mRNA occurs only when both a ribozyme and a target gene are induced in the cells. Screening Methods

The invention provides assays for screening test compounds which bind to or modulate the activity of an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide or an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide. A test compound preferably binds to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide or polynucleotide. More preferably, a test compound decreases or increases the ability of human adenylate cyclase type VII to convert ATP to cAMP or adenylate cyclase type VII activity by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100% relative to the absence of the test compound.

Test Compounds

Test compounds can be pharmacological agents already known in the art or can be compounds previously unknown to have any pharmacological activity. The compounds can be naturally occurring or designed in the laboratory. They can be isolated from microorganisms, animals, or plants, and can be produced recombinantly, or synthesized by chemical methods known in the art. If desired, test compounds can be obtained using any of the numerous combinatorial library methods known in the art, including but not limited to, biological libraries, spatially addressable parallel solid phase or solution phase libraries, synthetic library methods requiring deconvolution, the "one-bead one-compound"library method, and synthetic library methods using affinity chromatography selection. The biological library approach is limited to polypeptide libraries, while the other four approaches are applicable to polypeptide, non-peptide oligomer, or small molecule libraries of compounds. See Lam, Anticancer Drug Des. 12, 145, 1997.

Methods for the synthesis of molecular libraries are well known in the art (see, for example, DeWitt et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90, 6909, 1993; Erb et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 91, 11422, 1994; Zuckermann et al, J. Med. Chem. 37, 2678,

1994; Cho et al, Science 261, 1303, 1993; Carell et al, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33, 2059, 1994; Carell et al, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33, 2061; Gallop et al, J. Med. Chem. 37, 1233, 1994). Libraries of compounds can be presented in solution (see, e.g., Houghten, BioTechniques 13, 412-421, 1992), or on beads (Lam, Nature 354, 82-84, 1991), chips (Fodor, Nature 364, 555-556, 1993), bacteria or spores (Ladner, U.S. Patent 5,223,409), plasmids (Cull et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

89, 1865-1869, 1992), or phage (Scott & Smith, Science 249, 386-390, 1990; Devlin, Science 249, 404-406, 1990); Cwirla et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 97, 6378-6382, 1990; Felici, J. Mol. Biol. 222, 301-310, 1991; and Ladner, U.S. Patent 5,223,409).

High Throughput Screening

Test compounds can be screened for the ability to bind to adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides or polynucleotides or to affect adenylate cyclase type VII activity or adenylate cyclase type VII gene expression using high throughput screening. Using high throughput screening, many discrete compounds can be tested in parallel so that large numbers of test compounds can be quickly screened. The most widely established techniques utilize 96-well microtiter plates. The wells of the microtiter plates typically require assay volumes that range from 50 to 500 μl. In addition to the plates, many instruments, materials, pipettors, robotics, plate washers, and plate readers are commercially available to fit the 96-well format.

Alternatively, free format assays, or assays that have no physical barrier between samples, can be used. For example, an assay using pigment cells (melanocytes) in a simple homogeneous assay for combinatorial peptide libraries is described by Jayawickreme et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 19, 1614-18 (1994). The cells are placed under agarose in petri dishes, then beads that carry combinatorial compounds are placed on the surface of the agarose. The combinatorial compounds are partially released the compounds from the beads. Active compounds can be visualized as dark pigment areas because, as the compounds diffuse locally into the gel matrix, the active compounds cause the cells to change colors. Another example of a free format assay is described by Chelsky, "Strategies for Screening Combinatorial Libraries: Novel and Traditional Approaches," reported at the First Annual Conference of The Society for Biomolecular Screening in Philadelphia, Pa. (Nov. 7-10, 1995). Chelsky placed a simple homogenous enzyme assay for carbonic anhydrase inside an agarose gel such that the enzyme in the gel would cause a color change throughout the gel. Thereafter, beads carrying combinatorial compounds via a photolinker were placed inside the gel and the compounds were partially released by UV-light. Compounds that inhibited the enzyme were observed as local zones of inhibition having less color change.

Yet another example is described by Salmon et al, Molecular Diversity 2, 57-63 (1996). In this example, combinatorial libraries were screened for compounds that had cytotoxic effects on cancer cells growing in agar.

Another high throughput screening method is described in Beutel et al, U.S. Patent

5,976,813. In this method, test samples are placed in a porous matrix. One or more assay components are then placed within, on top of, or at the bottom of a matrix such as a gel, a plastic sheet, a filter, or other form of easily manipulated solid support. When samples are introduced to the porous matrix they diffuse sufficiently slowly, such that the assays can be performed without the test samples running together.

Binding Assays

For binding assays, the test compound is preferably a small molecule which binds to and occupies, for example, the ATP/GTP binding site ofthe enzyme or the active site of the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, such that normal biological activity is prevented. Examples of such small molecules include, but are not limited to, small peptides or peptide-like molecules.

In binding assays, either the test compound or the adenylate cyclase type VH polypeptide can comprise a detectable label, such as a fluorescent, radioisotopic, chemiluminescent, or enzymatic label, such as horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, or luciferase. Detection of a test compound which is bound to the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can then be accomplished, for example, by direct counting of radio-emmission, by scintillation counting, or by determining conversion of an appropriate substrate to a detectable product.

Alternatively, binding of a test compound to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be determined without labeling either of the interactants. For example, a microphysiometer can be used to detect binding of a test compound with an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. A microphysiometer (e.g., Cytosensor™) is an analytical instrument that measures the rate at which a cell acidifies its environment using a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS). Changes in this acidification rate can be used as an indicator of the interaction between a test compound and an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide (McConnell et al, Science 257, 1906-1912, 1992).

Determining the ability of a test compound to bind to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide also can be accomplished using a technology such as real-time Bimolecular Interaction Analysis (BIA) (Sjolander & Urbaniczky, Anal. Chem. 63, 2338-2345, 1991, and Szabo et al, Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 5, 699-705, 1995). BIA is a technology for studying biospecific interactions in real time, without labeling any of the interactants (e.g., BIAcore™). Changes in the optical phenomenon surface plasmon resonance (SPR) can be used as an indication of real-time reactions between biological molecules.

In yet another aspect of the invention, an adenylate cyclase type VH polypeptide can be used as a "bait protein" in a two-hybrid assay or three-hybrid assay (see, e.g., U.S. Patent 5,283,317; Zervos et al, Cell 72, 223-232, 1993; Madura et al, J. Biol. Chem. 268, 12046-12054, 1993; Bartel et al, BioTechniques 14, 920-924, 1993; Iwabuchi et al, Oncogene 8, 1693-1696, 1993; and Brent W094/10300), to identify other proteins which bind to or interact with the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide and modulate its activity.

The two-hybrid system is based on the modular nature of most transcription factors, which consist of separable DNA-binding and activation domains. Briefly, the assay utilizes two different DNA constructs. For example, in one construct, polynucleotide encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide can be fused to a polynucleotide encoding the DNA binding domain of a known transcription factor (e.g., GAL-4). In the other construct a DNA sequence that encodes an unidentified protein ("prey" or "sample") can be fused to a polynucleotide that codes for the activation domain ofthe known transcription factor. If the "bait" and the "prey" proteins are able to interact in vivo to form an protein-dependent complex, the DNA-binding and activation domains of the transcription factor are brought into close proximity. This proximity allows transcription of a reporter gene (e.g., LacZ), which is operably linked to a transcriptional regulatory site responsive to the transcription factor. Expression ofthe reporter gene can be detected, and cell colonies containing the functional transcription factor can be isolated and used to obtain the DNA sequence encoding the protein which interacts with the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide.

It may be desirable to immobilize either the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide

(or polynucleotide) or the test compound to facilitate separation of bound from unbound forms of one or both of the interactants, as well as to accommodate automation ofthe assay. Thus, either the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or the test compound can be bound to a solid support. Suitable solid supports include, but are not limited to, glass or plastic slides, tissue culture plates, microtiter wells, tubes, silicon chips, or particles such as beads (including, but not limited to, latex, polystyrene, or glass beads). Any method known in the art can be used to attach the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or test compound to a solid support, including use of covalent and non-covalent linkages, passive absorption, or pairs of binding moieties attached respectively to the polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or test compound and the solid support. Test compounds are preferably bound to the solid support in an array, so that the location of individual test compounds can be tracked. Binding of a test compound to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide (or polynucleotide) can be accomplished in any vessel suitable for containing the reactants. Examples of such vessels include microtiter plates, test tubes, and microcentrifuge tubes.

In one embodiment, the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide is a fusion protein comprising a domain that allows the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide to be bound to a solid support. For example, glutathione-S-transferase fusion proteins can be adsorbed onto glutathione sepharose beads (Sigma Chemical, St. Louis, Mo.) or glutathione derivatized microtiter plates, which are then combined with the test compound or the test compound and the non-adsorbed adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; the mixture is then incubated under conditions conducive to complex formation (e.g., at physiological conditions for salt and pH). Following incubation, the beads or microtiter plate wells are washed to remove any unbound components.

Binding of the interactants can be determined either directly or indirectly, as described above. Alternatively, the complexes can be dissociated from the solid support before binding is determined.

Other techniques for immobilizing proteins or polynucleotides on a solid support also can be used in the screening assays of the invention. For example, either an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide (or polynucleotide) or a test compound can be immobilized utilizing conjugation of biotin and streptavidin. Biotinylated adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides (or polynucleotides) or test compounds can be prepared from biotin-NHS(N-hydroxysuccinimide) using techniques well known in the art (e.g., biotinylation kit, Pierce Chemicals, Rockford, 111.) and immobilized in the wells of streptavidin-coated 96 well plates (Pierce Chemical). Alternatively, antibodies which specifically bind to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, polynucleotide, or a test compound, but which do not interfere with a desired binding site, such as the ATP/GTP binding site or the active site ofthe adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, can be derivatized to the wells of the plate. Unbound target or protein can be trapped in the wells by antibody conjugation.

Methods for detecting such complexes, in addition to those described above for the GST-immobilized complexes, include immunodetection of complexes using antibodies which specifically bind to the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide or test compound, enzyme-linked assays which rely on detecting an activity of the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, and SDS gel electrophoresis under non- reducing conditions.

Screening for test compounds which bind to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide or polynucleotide also can be carried out in an intact cell. Any cell which comprises an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide or polynucleotide can be used in a cell-based assay system. An adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide can be naturally occurring in the cell or can be introduced using techniques such as those described above. Binding of the test compound to an adenylate cyclase type Vfl polypeptide or polynucleotide is determined as described above.

Enzyme Assays

Test compounds can be tested for the ability to increase or decrease adenylate cyclase type VII activity. Adenylate cyclase activity is assayed indirectly by measuring the synthesis of labeled cAMP from the substrate labeled ATP as described by Y. Salomon et al., as disclosed in Anal. Biochem., 58, 541 (1974) and Adv. Cyclic Nucleotide Res., 10, 35 (1979).

Enzyme assays can be carried out after contacting either a purified adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, a cell membrane preparation, or an intact cell with a test compound. A test compound which decreases the activities of an adenylate cyclase type Vfl polypeptide by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about

75, 90, or 100% is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing adenylate cyclase type VII activity. A test compound which increases an activity of a human adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100% is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for increasing human adenylate cyclase type VII activity.

Gene Expression

In another embodiment, test compounds which increase or decrease adenylate cyclase type VII gene expression are identified. An adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide is contacted with a test compound, and the expression of an RNA or polypeptide product of the adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide is determined. The level of expression of appropriate mRNA or polypeptide in the presence of the test compound is compared to the level of expression of mRNA or polypeptide in the absence of the test compound. The test compound can then be identified as a modulator of expression based on this comparison. For example, when expression of mRNA or polypeptide is greater in the presence of the test compound than in its absence, the test compound is identified as a stimulator or enhancer of the mRNA or polypeptide expression. Alternatively, when expression ofthe mRNA or polypeptide is less in the presence of the test compound than in its absence, the test compound is identified as an inhibitor ofthe mRNA or polypeptide expression.

The level of adenylate cyclase type VII mRNA or polypeptide expression in the cells can be determined by methods well known in the art for detecting mRNA or polypeptide. Either qualitative or quantitative methods can be used. The presence of polypeptide products of an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide can be determined, for example, using a variety of techniques known in the art, including immunochemical methods such as radioimmunoassay, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Alternatively, polypeptide synthesis can be determined in vivo, in a cell culture, or in an in vitro translation system by detecting incorporation of labeled amino acids into an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide. Such screening can be carried out either in a cell-free assay system or in an intact cell. Any cell which expresses an adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide can be used in a cell-based assay system. The adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide can be naturally occurring in the cell or can be introduced using techniques such as those described above. Either a primary culture or an established cell line, such as CHO or human embryonic kidney 293 cells, can be used.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions which can be administered to a patient to achieve a therapeutic effect. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can comprise, for example, an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide, ribozymes or antisense oligonucleotides, antibodies which specifically bind to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, or mimetics, agonists, antagonists, or inhibitors of an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide activity. The compositions can be admimstered alone or in combination with at least one other agent, such as stabilizing compound, which can be administered in any sterile, biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier, including, but not limited to, saline, buffered saline, dextrose, and water. The compositions can be administered to a patient alone, or in combination with other agents, drugs or hormones.

In addition to the active ingredients, these pharmaceutical compositions can contain suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the active compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered by any number of routes including, but not limited to, oral, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-arterial, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, parenteral, topical, sublingual, or rectal means. Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration can be formulated using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art in dosages suitable for oral administration. Such carriers enable the pharmaceutical compositions to be formulated as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions, and the like, for ingestion by the patient.

Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained through combination of active compounds with solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are carbohydrate or protein fillers, such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; starch from corn, wheat, rice, potato, or other plants; cellulose, such as methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, or sodium carboxymethylcellulose; gums including arabic and tragacanth; and proteins such as gelatin and collagen. If desired, disintegrating or solubilizing agents can be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, alginic acid, or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate.

Dragee cores can be used in conjunction with suitable coatings, such as concentrated sugar solutions, which also can contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethylene glycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments can be added to the tablets or dragee coatings for product identification or to characterize the quantity of active compound, i.e., dosage.

Pharmaceutical preparations which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a coating, such as glycerol or sorbitol. Push-fit capsules can contain active ingredients mixed with a filler or binders, such as lactose or starches, lubricants, such as talc or magnesium stearate, and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds can be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid, or liquid polyethylene glycol with or without stabilizers. Pharmaceutical formulations suitable for parenteral administration can be formulated in aqueous solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks' solution, Ringer's solution, or physiologically buffered saline. Aqueous injection suspensions can contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds can be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Non-lipid polycationic amino polymers also can be used for delivery. Optionally, the suspension also can contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions. For topical or nasal administration, penetrants appropriate to the particular barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be manufactured in a manner that is known in the art, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, or lyophilizing processes. The pharmaceutical composition can be provided as a salt and can be formed with many acids, including but not limited to, hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents than are the corresponding free base forms. In other cases, the preferred preparation can be a lyophilized powder which can contain any or all of the following: 1-50 mM histidine, 0.1%-2% sucrose, and 2-7% man- nitol, at a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5, that is combined with buffer prior to use.

Further details on techniques for formulation and administration can be found in the latest edition of REMINGTON'S PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES (Maack Publishing Co.,

Easton, Pa.). After pharmaceutical compositions have been prepared, they can be placed in an appropriate container and labeled for treatment of an indicated condition. Such labeling would include amount, frequency, and method of administration.

Therapeutic Indications and Methods

The modulation of adenylate cyclase type VII acitivity is useful for treating diseases that are caused by aberrant activity of this enzyme and diseases whose symptoms can be ameliorated by stimulating or inhibiting the activity of type VII adenylyl cyclase. Such diseases include, for example, diseases caused by allergic or inflammatory reaction, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, contact allergy, hives conjunctivitis, vernal catarrh; autoimmune diseases, COPD, inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sepsis/septic shock, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, polyarthritis nodosa, mixed connective tissue disease, Suoegren's syndrome, gout; and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, among others.

This invention further pertains to the use of novel agents identified by the screening assays described above. Accordingly, it is within the scope of this invention to use a test compound identified as described herein in an appropriate animal model. For example, an agent identified as described herein (e.g., a modulating agent, an antisense nucleic acid molecule, a specific antibody, ribozyme, or an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide binding molecule) can be used in an animal model to determine the efficacy, toxicity, or side effects of treatment with such an agent. Alternatively, an agent identified as described herein can be used in an animal model to determine the mechanism of action of such an agent. Furthermore, this invention pertains to uses of novel agents identified by the above-described screening assays for treatments as described herein.

A reagent which affects adenylate cyclase type Vfl activity can be administered to a human cell, either in vitro or in vivo, to reduce adenylate cyclase type VII activity.

The reagent preferably binds to an expression product of a human adenylate cyclase type VII gene. If the expression product is a protein, the reagent is preferably an antibody. For treatment of human cells ex vivo, an antibody can be added to a preparation of stem cells which have been removed from the body. The cells can then be replaced in the same or another human body, with or without clonal propagation, as is known in the art.

In one embodiment, the reagent is delivered using a liposome. Preferably, the liposome is stable in the animal into which it has been administered for at least about 30 minutes, more preferably for at least about 1 hour, and even more preferably for at least about 24 hours. A liposome comprises a lipid composition that is capable of targeting a reagent, particularly a polynucleotide, to a particular site in an animal, such as a human. Preferably, the lipid composition of the liposome is capable of targeting to a specific organ of an animal, such as the lung, liver, spleen, heart brain, lymph nodes, and skin.

A liposome useful in the present invention comprises a lipid composition that is capable of fusing with the plasma membrane of the targeted cell to deliver its contents to the cell. Preferably, the transfection efficiency of a liposome is about 0.5 μg of DNA per 16 nmole of liposome delivered to about 10⁶ cells, more preferably about 1.0 μg of DNA per 16 nmole of liposome delivered to about 10⁶ cells, and even more preferably about 2.0 μg of DNA per 16 nmol of liposome delivered to about 10⁶ cells. Preferably, a liposome is between about 100 and 500 nm, more preferably between about 150 and 450 nm, and even more preferably between about 200 and 400 nm in diameter.

Suitable liposomes for use in the present invention include those liposomes standardly used in, for example, gene delivery methods known to those of skill in the art. More preferred liposomes include liposomes having a polycationic lipid composition and/or liposomes having a cholesterol backbone conjugated to polyethylene glycol. Optionally, a liposome comprises a compound capable of targeting the liposome to a particular cell type, such as a cell-specific ligand exposed on the outer surface ofthe liposome.

Complexing a liposome with a reagent such as an antisense oligonucleotide or ribozyme can be achieved using methods which are standard in the art (see, for example, U.S. Patent 5,705,151). Preferably, from about 0.1 μg to about 10 μg of polynucleotide is combined with about 8 nmol of liposomes, more preferably from about 0.5 μg to about 5 μg of polynucleotides are combined with about 8 nmol liposomes, and even more preferably about 1.0 μg of polynucleotides is combined with about 8 nmol liposomes.

In another embodiment, antibodies can be delivered to specific tissues in vivo using receptor-mediated targeted delivery. Receptor-mediated DNA delivery techniques are taught in, for example, Findeis et al Trends in Biotechnol. 11, 202-05 (1993); Chiou et al, GENE THERAPEUTICS: METHODS AND APPLICATIONS OF DIRECT GENE

TRANSFER (J.A. Wolff, ed.) (1994); Wu & Wu, J. Biol. Chem. 263, 621-24 (1988); Wu et al, J. Biol. Chem. 269, 542-46 (1994); Zenke et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 3655-59 (1990); Wu et al, J. Biol. Chem. 266, 338-42 (1991).

Determination of a Therapeutically Effective Dose

The determination of a therapeutically effective dose is well within the capability of those skilled in the art. A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of active ingredient which increases or decreases adenylate cyclase type VH activity relative to the adenylate cyclase type Vfl activity which occurs in the absence ofthe therapeutically effective dose.

For any compound, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially either in cell culture assays or in animal models, usually mice, rabbits, dogs, or pigs. The animal model also can be used to determine the appropriate concentration range and route of administration. Such information can then be used to determine useful doses and routes for administration in humans.

Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity, e.g., ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population) and LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population), can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals. The dose ratio of toxic to therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index, and it can be expressed as the ratio, LD₅o/ED₅₀.

Pharmaceutical compositions, which exhibit large therapeutic indices, are preferred.

The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studies is used in formulating a range of dosage for human use. The dosage contained in such compositions is preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage varies within this range depending upon the dosage form employed, sensitivity ofthe patient, and the route of administration.

The exact dosage will be determined by the practitioner, in light of factors related to the subject that requires treatment. Dosage and administration are adjusted to provide sufficient levels of the active ingredient or to maintain the desired effect. Factors which can be taken into account include the severity of the disease state, general health of the subject, age, weight, and gender of the subject, diet, time and frequency of administration, drug combination(s), reaction sensitivities, and tolerance/response to therapy. Long-acting pharmaceutical compositions can be administered every 3 to 4 days, every week, or once every two weeks depending on the half-life and clearance rate ofthe particular formulation.

Normal dosage amounts can vary from 0.1 to 100,000 micrograms, up to a total dose of about 1 g, depending upon the route of administration. Guidance as to particular dosages and methods of delivery is provided in the literature and generally available to practitioners in the art. Those skilled in the art will employ different formulations for nucleotides than for proteins or their inhibitors. Similarly, delivery of polynucleotides or polypeptides will be specific to particular cells, conditions, locations, etc.

If the reagent is a single-chain antibody, polynucleotides encoding the antibody can be constructed and introduced into a cell either ex vivo or in vivo using well- established techniques including, but not limited to, transferrin-polycation-mediated DNA transfer, transfection with naked or encapsulated nucleic acids, liposome- mediated cellular fusion, intracellular transportation of DNA-coated latex beads, protoplast fusion, viral infection, elecfroporation, gene gun, and DEAE- or calcium phosphate-mediated transfection.

Effective in vivo dosages of an antibody are in the range of about 5 g to about 50 g/kg, about 50 μg to about 5 mg/kg, about 100 μg to about 500 μg/kg of patient body weight, and about 200 to about 250 μg kg of patient body weight. For administration of polynucleotides encoding single-chain antibodies, effective in vivo dosages are in the range of about 100 ng to about 200 ng, 500 ng to about 50 mg, about 1 μg to about 2 mg, about 5 μg to about 500 μg, and about 20 μg to about 100 μg of DNA.

If the expression product is mRNA, the reagent is preferably an antisense oligonucleotide or a ribozyme. Polynucleotides which express antisense oligonucleotides or ribozymes can be introduced into cells by a variety of methods, as described above.

Preferably, a reagent reduces expression of an adenylate cyclase type VII gene or the activity of an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide by at least about 10, preferably about 50, more preferably about 75, 90, or 100% relative to the absence of the reagent. The effectiveness of the mechanism chosen to decrease the level of expression of an adenylate cyclase type Vfl gene or the activity of an adenylate cyclase type Vfl polypeptide can be assessed using methods well known in the art, such as hybridization of nucleotide probes to adenylate cyclase type Vfl-specific mRNA, quantitative RT-PCR, immunologic detection of an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, or measurement of adenylate cyclase type VII activity.

In any of the embodiments described above, any of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be administered in combination with other appropriate therapeutic agents. Selection of the appropriate agents for use in combination therapy can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art, according to conventional pharmaceutical principles. The combination of therapeutic agents can act synergistically to effect the treatment or prevention ofthe various disorders described above. Using this approach, one may be able to achieve therapeutic efficacy with lower dosages of each agent, thus reducing the potential for adverse side effects.

Any ofthe therapeutic methods described above can be applied to any subject in need of such therapy, including, for example, mammals such as dogs, cats, cows, horses, rabbits, monkeys, and most preferably, humans.

Diagnostic Methods

Human adenylate cyclase type VII also can be used in diagnostic assays for detecting diseases and abnormalities or susceptibility to diseases and abnormalities related to the presence of mutations in the nucleic acid sequences which encode the enzyme. For example, differences can be determined between the cDNA or genomic sequence encoding adenylate cyclase type VII in individuals afflicted with a disease and in normal individuals. If a mutation is observed in some or all of the afflicted individuals but not in normal individuals, then the mutation is likely to be the causative agent ofthe disease.

Sequence differences between a reference gene and a gene having mutations can be revealed by the direct DNA sequencing method. In addition, cloned DNA segments can be employed as probes to detect specific DNA segments. The sensitivity of this method is greatly enhanced when combined with PCR. For example, a sequencing primer can be used with a double-stranded PCR product or a single-stranded template molecule generated by a modified PCR. The sequence determination is performed by conventional procedures using radiolabeled nucleotides or by automatic sequencing procedures using fluorescent tags.

Genetic testing based on DNA sequence differences can be carried out by detection of alteration in electrophoretic mobility of DNA fragments in gels with or without denaturing agents. Small sequence deletions and insertions can be visualized, for example, by high resolution gel electrophoresis. DNA fragments of different sequences can be distinguished on denaturing formamide gradient gels in which the mobilities of different DNA fragments are retarded in the gel at different positions according to their specific melting or partial melting temperatures (see, e.g., Myers et al, Science 230, 1242, 1985). Sequence changes at specific locations can also be revealed by nuclease protection assays, such as RNase and S 1 protection or the chemical cleavage method (e.g., Cotton et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 4397-

4401, 1985). Thus, the detection of a specific DNA sequence can be performed by methods such as hybridization, RNase protection, chemical cleavage, direct DNA sequencing or the use of restriction enzymes and Southern blotting of genomic DNA. In addition to direct methods such as gel-electrophoresis and DNA sequencing, mutations can also be detected by in situ analysis.

Altered levels of an adenylate cyclase type VII also can be detected in various tissues. Assays used to detect levels of the receptor polypeptides in a body sample, such as blood or a tissue biopsy, derived from a host are well known to those of skill in the art and include radioimmunoassays, competitive binding assays, Western blot analysis, and ELISA assays.

All patents and patent applications cited in this disclosure are expressly incorporated herein by reference. The above disclosure generally describes the present invention. A more complete understanding can be obtained by reference to the following specific examples which are provided for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Tissue Expression of adenylate cyclase type VII mRNA

Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of RNA from different human tissues was performed to investigate the tissue expression of adenylate cyclase mRNA. 100 μg of total RNA from various tissues (Human Total RNA Panel Stanford G3, Clontech Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA, USA) was used as a template to synthesize first-strand cDNA using the SUPERSCRIPT™ First-Strand Synthesis System for RT-PCR (Life Technologies, Rockville , MD, USA). 10 ng of the first-strand cDNA was then used as template in a polymerase chain reaction to test for the presence of the adenylate cyclase type VII mRNA transcript. The polymerase chain reaction was performed in a LightCycler (Roche Molecular Biochemicals, Indianapolis, IN, USA), in the presence of the DNA- binding fluorescent dye SYBR Green I which binds to the minor groove ofthe DNA double helix, produced only when double-stranded DNA is successfully synthesized in the reaction, and upon binding, emits light that can be quantitatively measured by the LightCycler machine. The polymerase chain reaction was carried out using oligonucleotide primers. The primers used to amplify DNA complementary to AC7 mRNA were primer 1 (SEQ ID NO:3) and primer 2 (SEQ ID NO:4). The measurements ofthe intensity of emitted light were taken following each cycle ofthe reaction when the reaction had reached a temperature of 86 degrees C. Intensities of emitted light were converted into copy numbers of the gene transcript per nanogram of template cDNA by comparison with simultaneously reacted standards of known concentration.

To correct for differences in mRNA transcription levels per cell in the various tissue types, a normalization procedure was performed using calculated expression levels in the various tissues of five different housekeeping genes: glyceraldehyde-3- phosphatase (G3PHD), hypoxanthine guanine phophoribosyl transferase (HPRT), beta-actin, porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD), and beta-2-microglobulin. Except for the use of a slightly different set of housekeeping genes, the normalization procedures was essentially the same as that described in the RNA Master Blot User Manual, Apendix C (Clontech Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA, USA).

The expression of mRNA of hAC7 was seen in immune related cells such as thymus and PBL and lung tissue as shown in FIG. 1.

EXAMPLE 2

Expression of recombinant human adenylate cyclase type VII

To produce large quantities of human adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides in yeast, the Pichia pastoris expression vector pPICZB (Invifrogen, San Diego, CA) is used. The human adenylate cyclase type VII encoding DNA sequence is the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ LD NO:7. Before insertion into vector pPICZB, the DNA sequence is modified by well known methods in such a way that it contains at its 5'-end an initiation codon and at its 3'-end an enterokinase cleavage site, a His6 reporter tag, and a termination codon. Restriction enzyme recognition sequences for cleavage by restriction endonucleases are added at both termini. After digestion of the multiple cloning site of pPICZ B with the corresponding restriction enzymes, the modified human adenylate cyclase type VLI polypeptide-encoding DNA sequence is ligated into pPICZB. This expression vector is designed for inducible expression in Pichia pastoris, and expression is driven by a yeast promoter. The resulting pPICZ/md-His6 vector is used to transform the yeast. The yeast is cultivated under usual conditions in shake flasks, and the recombinantly produced protein is isolated from the culture by affinity chromatography (Ni-NTA- Resin) in the presence of 8 M urea. The bound polypeptide is eluted with buffer, pH

3.5, and neutralized. Separation ofthe human adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide from the His6 reporter tag is accomplished by site-specific proteolysis using enterokinase (Invifrogen, San Diego, CA) according to manufacturer's instructions. Purified human adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide is obtained. EXAMPLE 3

Identification of test compounds that bind to adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides

Purified adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides comprising a glutathione-S- transferase protein and absorbed onto glutathione-derivatized wells of 96- well microtiter plates are contacted with test compounds from a small molecule library at pH 7.0 in a physiological buffer solution. Adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptides comprise the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2. The test compounds comprise a fluorescent tag. The samples are incubated for 5 minutes to one hour. Control samples are incubated in the absence of a test compound.

The buffer solution containing the test compounds is washed from the wells. Binding of a test compound to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide is detected by fluorescence measurements of the contents ofthe wells. A test compound which increases the fluorescence in a well by at least 15% relative to fluorescence of a well in which a test compound is not incubated is identified as a compound which binds to an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide.

EXAMPLE 4 Identification of a test compound which modulates adenylate cyclase type VII gene expression

A test compound is administered to a culture of human cells transfected with an adenylate cyclase type VII expression construct and incubated at 37 °C for 10 to 45 minutes. A culture of the same type of cells which have not been transfected is incubated for the same time without the test compound to provide a negative control.

RNA is isolated from the two cultures as described in Chirgwin et al, Biochem. 18,

5294-99 (1979). Northern blots are prepared using 20 to 30 μg total RNA and hybridized with a ³²P-labeled adenylate cyclase type Vll-specific probe at 65 oC in

Express-hyb (CLONTECH). The probe comprises at least 11 contiguous nucleotides selected from the complement of SEQ ID NO: 1. A test compound which decreases the adenylate cyclase type Vll-specific signal relative to the signal obtained in the absence of the test compound is identified as an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase type VII gene expression.

EXAMPLE 5

Treatment of a patient with a reagent which specifically binds to an adenylate cyclase human gene mRNA

Synthesis of an antisense oligonucleotide comprising at least 11 contiguous nucleotides selected from the complement of SEQ ID NO:l is performed on a Pharmacia Gene Assembler series synthesizer using the phosphoramidite procedure (Uhlmann et al, Chem. Rev. 90, 534-83, 1990). Following assembly and deprotection, the oligonucleotide is twice ethanol-precipitated, dried, and suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at the desired concentration. Purity of the oligonucleotide is tested by capillary gel elecfrophoreses and ion exchange HPLC. The endotoxin level in the oligonucleotide preparation is determined using the Limulus Amebocyte Assay (Bang, Biol. Bull. (Woods Hole, Mass.) 105, 361-362, 1953).

An aqueous composition containing the antisense oligonucleotides at a concentration of 0.1-100 μM is administered directly to a patient having by injection. The severity ofthe patient is decreased.

EXAMPLE 6

Expression of human adenylate cyclase type VII in various immune cells

Cells. Eosinophils(purity > 99%) were isolated with Mono-Poly resolving medium

(Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.) followed with lysis of erythrocytes and negative selection with CD16, CD4, CD8, CD19 using autoMACS. Neutrophils were prepared from PBMC by positive selection with anti-CD 16 antibody. Purity was checked by FACS analysis. Both eosinophils and neutrophils have >99% purity.

RNA isolation and RT-PCR. Total RNAs were prepared using TRIzol™ Reagent (GIBCO BRL) or purchased from Clontech. First-strand cDNA synthesis was carried out with Superscript™ first-strand synthesis system (GEBCO BRL). PCR reactions were performed with either GeneAmp PCR system 9700 or LightCycler (Roche). The following primers are used:

AC7- L: 5'-tcagcgtcgcctcagggcacgag-3' (SEQ ID NO:5)

AC7-R: 5'-gaggccctggaggatggtgcag-3' (SEQ ID NO:6)

Expression of AC7 in immune cells is shown in FIG. 8

References

(Sunahara, R. K., Dessauer, C. W., and Gilman, A. G. (1996) Annu. Rev. Pharmacol.

Toxicol. 36, 461-480)

(Xia, Z. G, and Storm, S. R. (1997) Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 7, 391-396) (Hanoune, J., Pouille, Y, Tzavara, E., Shen, T. S., Lipskaya, L., Miyamoto, N.,

Suzuki, Y., and Defer, N. (1997) Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 128, 179-194) (Cooper, D. M. F. (ed) (1998) Adv. Second Messenger Phosphoprotein Res. 32) (Tang, WJ and Hurley, JH (1998) Ml. Pharmacol. 54, 231-240) (Morre, TM, Chetham, PM, Kelly, JI, and Stevens, T., Am. L. Physiol. 275:L203- L222, 1998)

(Laudanna, C, Campbell, JJ., and Butcher, EC, 1997, J. Biol. Chem., 272:24141- 241444). EXAMPLE 7

In vivo testing of compounds/target validation for asthma treatment

1. Tests for activity of T cells

Costimulatory molecules-cytokmes, cytokine receptors, signalling molecules, any molecule involved in T cell activation

Mouse anti-CD3 induced cytokine production model BALB/c mice were injected with a single intravenous injection of 10 μg of 145-2C11

(purified hamster anti-mouse CD3 ε monoclonal antibodies, PHARMΓNGEN). Compound was administered intraperitoneally 60 min prior to the anti-CD3 mAb injection. Blood was collected 90 min after the antibody injection. Serum was obtained by centrifugation at 3000 r.p.m. for 10 min. IL-2 and IL-4 levels in the serum was determined by an ELISA.

2. Tests for activity of B cells

B cell receptor, signalling molecules, any molecule involved in B cell activation/Ig class switching

Mouse anti-IgD induced IgE production model

BALB/c mice were injected intravenously with 0.8 mg of purified goat anti-mouse IgD antibody or PBS (defined as day 0). Compound was administered intraperitoneally from day 0 to day 6. On day 7 blood was collected and serum was obtained by centrifugation at 3000 r.p.m. for 10 min. Serum total levels of IgE were determined by YAMASA's ELISA kit and their Ig subtypes were done by an Ig ELISA KIT (Rougier Bio-tech's, Montreal, Canada). 3. Tests for activity of monocytes/macrophages, signalling molecules, Transcription factors

Mouse LPS-induced TNF-α production model

BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with LPS (200 μg/mouse). Compound was administered intraperitoneally 1 hr before the LPS injection. Blood was collected at 90 min post-LPS injection and plasma was obtained. TNF-α concentration in the sample was determined using an ELISA kit.

4. Tests eosinophil activation

Eotaxin-eotaxin receptor (GPCR)

Signalling molecules, Cytoskeletal molecules, adhision molecules

Mouse eotaxin-induced eosinophilia model

BALB/c mice were injected intradermally with a 2.5 ml of air on days -6 and -3 to prepare airpouch. On day 0 compound was administered intraperitoneally 60 min before eotaxin injection (3 μg/mouse, i.d.). IL-5 (300 ng/mouse) was injected intravenously 30 min before the eotaxin injection. After 4 hr of the eotaxin injection leukocytes in exudate was collected and the number of total cells was counted. The differential cell counts in the exudate were performed by staining with May- Grunwald Gimsa solution.

5. Tests activation of Th2 cells

Molecules involved in antigen presentation, costimulatory molecules, signaling molecules, transcription factors

Mouse D10 cell transfer model D10.G4.1 cells (1 x 107 cells/mouse) containing 2 mg of conalbumin in saline was administered i.v. to AKR mice. After 6 hr blood was collected and serum was obtained by centifugation at 3000 r.p.m. for lOmin. IL-4 and IL-5 level in serum were determined by ELISA kits. Compound was admimintered intraperitoneally at -

4 and +1 hr after these cells injection.

6. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PC A) test in rats

6 Weeks old male Wistar rats are sensitized intradermally (i.d.) on their shaved backs with 50 μl of 0.1 μg/ml mouse anti-DNP IgE monoclonal antibody (SPE-7) under a light anesthesia. After 24 hours, the rats are challenged intravenously with 1 ml of saline containing 0.6 mg DNP-BSA (30) (LSL CO., LTD) and 0.005 g of Evans blue. Compounds are injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) 0.5 hr prior to antigen injection. Rats without the sensitization, challenge, and compound treatment are used for a blank

(control) and rats with sensitization, challenge and vehicle treatment are used to determine a value without inhibition. Thirty min after the challenge, the rats are killed, and the skin ofthe back is removed. Evans blue dye in the skin is extracted in formamide overnight at 63°C. Then an absorbance at 620 nm is measured to obtain the optical density ofthe leaked dye.

Percent inhibition of PCA with a compound is calculated as follows:

% inhibition = {(mean vehicle value - sample value)/(mean vehicle value - mean control value)} x 100

7. Anaphylactic bronchoconstriction in rats

6 Weeks old male Wistar rats are sensitized intravenously (i.v.) with 10 μg mouse anti-DNP IgE, SPE-7, and 1 days later, the rats are challenged intravenously with 0.3 ml of saline containing 1.5 mg DNP-BSA (30) under anesthesia with urethan (1000 mg/kg, i.p.) and gallamine (50 mg/kg, i.v.). The trachea is cannulated for artifical respiration (2 ml / stroke, 70 strokes / min). Pulmonary inflation pressure (PIP) is recorded thruogh a side-arm of cannula connected to pressure transducer. Change in PIP reflects change of both resistance and compliance of the lungs. To evaluate the drags, each drug is given i.v. 5 min before challenge.

Claims

1. A method of screening for agents which decrease the activity of adenyl cyclase tpye VII, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with any adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide encoded by any polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polynucleotide encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; b) a polynucleotide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 ; c) a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide specified in (a) and/or (b) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; d) a polynucleotide the sequence of which deviates from the polynucleotide sequences specified in (a) to (c) due to the degeneration of the genetic code and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; and e) a polynucleotide which represents a fragment, derivative or allelic variation of a polynucleotide sequence specified in (a) to (d) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; and detecting binding of the test compound to the adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, wherein a test compound which binds to the polypeptide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of adenylate cyclase type VII.

2. A method of screening for agents which regulate the activity of adenyl cyclase tpye VII, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with any adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide encoded by any polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polynucleotide encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; b) a polynucleotide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 ; c) a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide specified in (a) and/or (b) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; d) a polynucleotide the sequence of which deviates from the polynucleotide sequences specified in (a) to (c) due to the degeneration of the genetic code and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; and e) a polynucleotide which represents a fragment, derivative or allelic variation of a polynucleotide sequence specified in (a) to (d) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide;

and detecting adenyl cyclase tpye VII activity of the polypeptide, wherein a test compound which increases the adenylate cyclase type VII activity is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for increasing the activity of adenylate cyclase type VII, and wherein a test compound which decreases the adenylate cyclase type VII activity of the polypeptide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of adenyl cyclase tpye VII.

A method of screening for agents which decrease the activity of adenyl cyclase tpye VII, comprising the steps of:

contacting a test compound with any adenylate cyclase type VII polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polynucleotide encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; b) a polynucleotide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 ; c) a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide specified in (a) and/or (b) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; d) a polynucleotide the sequence of which deviates from the polynucleotide sequences specified in (a) to (c) due to the degeneration of the genetic code and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; and e) a polynucleotide which represents a fragment, derivative or allelic variation of a polynucleotide sequence specified in (a) to (d) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide;

and detecting binding of the test compound to the polynucleotide, wherein a test compound which binds to the polynucleotide is identified as a potential therapeutic agent for decreasing the activity of adenyl cyclase tpye VII.

4. A method of reducing the activity of adenyl cyclase tpye VII, comprising the steps of: contacting a cell with a reagent which specifically binds to any polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polynucleotide encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; b) a polynucleotide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 ; c) a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide specified in (a) and/or (b) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; d) a polynucleotide the sequence of which deviates from the polynucleotide sequences specified in (a) to (c) due to the degeneration of the genetic code and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; and e) a polynucleotide which represents a fragment, derivative or allelic variation of a polynucleotide sequence specified in (a) to (d) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide;

or

any polypeptide encoded by a polypnucleotide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polynucleotide encoding an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; b) a polynucleotide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 ; c) a polynucleotide which hybridizes under stringent conditions to a polynucleotide specified in (a) and/or (b) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; d) a polynucleotide the sequence of which deviates from the polynucleotide sequences specified in (a) to (c) due to the degeneration of the genetic code and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide; and e) a polynucleotide which represents a fragment, derivative or allelic variation of a polynucleotide sequence specified in (a) to (d) and encodes an adenylate cyclase type VII polypeptide, whereby the activity of adenylate cyclase type VII is reduced.

5. A reagent that modulates the activity of adenyl cyclase tpye VII polypeptide or a polynucleotide wherein said reagent is identified by the method of any of the claim 1 to 3.

6. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: the reagent of claim 5 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

7. Use of the reagent of claim 5 in the preparation of a medicament for modulating the activity of adenyl cyclase tpye VII in a disease.

8. Use of claim 7 wherein the disease is an infectious dieseas, asthma or an allergic or inflammatary disease.

9. A method of screening for agents which can regulate the activity of adenylate cyclase type VII protein, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; or the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; and detecting binding of the test compound to the polypeptide, wherein a test compound which binds to the polypeptide is identified as a potential agent for regulating activity ofthe adenylate cyclase type VII protein.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of contacting is in a cell.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the cell is in vitro.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of contacting is in a cell-free system.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the polypeptide comprises a detectable label.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the test compound comprises a detectable label.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the test compound displaces a labeled ligand which is bound to the polypeptide.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the polypeptide is bound to a solid support.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein the test compound is bound to a solid support.

18. A method of screening for agents which regulate the activity of adenylate cyclase type VII protein, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; or the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; and detecting an activity of the polypeptide, wherein a test compound which increases the activity of the polypeptide is identified as a potential agent for increasing the activity of the human adenylate cyclase type VII protein, and wherein a test compound which decreases the activity of the polypeptide is identified as a potential agent for decreasing the activity of the human adenylate cyclase type VII protein.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of contacting is in a cell.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the cell is in vitro.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of contacting is in a cell-free system.

22. A method of screening for agents which regulate adenylate cyclase type VII protein, comprising the steps of: contacting a test compound with a product encoded by a polynucleotide which comprises the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:l; and detecting binding of the test compound to the product, wherein a test compound which binds to the product is identified as a potential agent for regulating the activity of human adenylate cyclase type VII protein.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the product is a polypeptide.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the product is RNA.

25. A method of reducing activity of a human adenylate cyclase type VII protein, comprising the step of: contacting a cell with a reagent which specifically binds to a product encoded by a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:l, whereby the activity of a human adenylate cyclase type VII protein is reduced.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the product is a polypeptide.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the reagent is an antibody.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the product is RNA.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the reagent is an antisense oligonucleotide.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the reagent is a ribozyme.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein the cell is in vitro.

32. The method of claim 25 wherein the cell is in vivo.

33. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a reagent which specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

34. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 33 wherein the reagent is an antibody.

35. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a reagent which specifically binds to a product of a polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:l; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

36. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 35 wherein the reagent is a ribozyme.

37. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 35 wherein the reagent is an antisense oligonucleotide.

38. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 35 wherein the reagent is an antibody.

39. A method of treating adenyl cyclase tpye VII dysfunction related disease, wherein the disease is selected from an infectious disease, asthma, or an allergic or inflammatory disease comprising the step of: administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective dose of a reagent that regulates the function of human adenyl cyclase tpye VII protein, whereby symptoms of the adenyl cyclase tpye VII dysfunction related disease are ameliorated.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the reagent is identified by the method of claim 9.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein the reagent is identified by the method of claim 18.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein the reagent is identified by the method of claim 22.